A Smart Materials Driven Approach to the Interior Design of Cruise Ships

The cruise ship unit is often defined as a “floating city” where the presence of large, open and closed spaces reproduces, in terms of dimensions and functions, those of public and private civil architecture. The aim of this research activity is to identify a theoretical process of mutual interaction among these two fields and functional links between material, technology and design, starting from a scoping activity review of the currently constituent finishing materials. This can lead to a possible application of adaptive solutions, which mainly rely on the use of smart materials, where external stimuli induced by electric, magnetic, mechanical and thermal fields of force, as well as variations in environmental parameters (temperature, pH, humidity, lightness, noise and the possible presence of harmful substances) give rise to an active, reversible response which causes variations of the intrinsic properties as well as a change in their structure, composition, function or shape. All the potential applications will have to assess the compatibility with the marine environment, durability and compliance with the rules and include performance paints and inks, photocatalytic systems with self-sanitizing properties, fabrics with antibacterial and water-repellent properties which, together with a protective action, able to generate electricity if exposed to light. Some polymeric fibres can thermally modify their sensitivity to humidity and allow for better adaptability and reversible shrinkage; self-healing surfaces regenerate after the occurrence of a crack. It is possible to create devices integrated with sensors and actuators capable of reacting automatically, monitoring the status of an electronic system and to detect specific environmental and human parameters. These applications are shaping a new perception of reality which include intelligent materials as elements of a new design-driven language, where all the phases of the concept design become interactive, adaptive and conscious, in closer affinity with the dynamics of living beings.